Device in fuel tanks

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a device in fuel tanks, preferably for vehicles, said tanks being provided with a mouth socket to which a filler tube is connected so as to have its one end portion projecting into the tank. Between the mouth socket and the filler tube a seal is provided, the latter being formed with a portion grippingly enclosing the mouth edge of the socket and defining, together with the filler tube, an intermediate space allowing oscillation of the filler tube relatively to the socket. A washer is pressed against the filler tube and is formed with a bent-over portion grippingly engaging said portion of the seal. A reinforcement sleeve is positioned inside the filler tube and presses against the inner face of the filler tube. A clamp-joint sleeve is fitted around the mouth socket, enclosing portion of the seal and the washer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a device in fuel tanks, preferably for vehicles,the tank being provided with a mouth socket to which a filler tube isconnected.

Previously, fuel tanks for vehicles within the car industry were madefrom deep-drawn, lead-covered sheet metal. In accordance with prior-arttechnology, an upper and a lower section are welded together and thetank thus formed is provided with a socket to which a filler tube is inturn connected. In order to prevent leakages from arising at the socketmouth, as may be caused by vibrations when the vehicle is running, arubber hose is inserted between the socket and the filler tube andattached to said components with the aid of hose clamps. In particularlyexposed positions reinforced rubber hoses are usually used.

In later years, synthetic resin tanks have come into use as they are nowcapable of satisfying the strength and security requirements on fueltanks. However, the technology used in the manufacture of sheet metaltanks as concerns the interconnection between the socket and the fillertube has been adopted also for synthetic resin tanks. Thus, the socket,now manufactured from blow-moulded synthetic resin, is connected to thefiller tube by means of a rubber hose and hose clamps. The joint betweenthe tank and the filler tube is, however, a weak link. The rubber hoseages more rapidly than the rest of the components, particularly whenused in positions where, during vehicle running it is exposed to spraysof water mixed with sand and salt from the roadway. This increaseslargely the risks for leakages caused by cracks in the tube, and alsoincreases the risks for rupture of the tube, which could easily occur inthe event of a collision. Obviously, fuel leakages constitute seriousfire hazards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a device designed for direct connection of arigid filler tube to a filler tank without the need of a hose. Thedevice allows rotational and to some extent oscillating movements of thefiller tube relatively to the fuel tank and even distortion of the fueltank without any risk of leakage. The caracterizing features of thisdevice appears from the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in closer detail in the following withreference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through the connection areabetween a fuel tank and a filler tube; and

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through a seal incorporated into thedevice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

On the drawing only a small part of the fuel tank 1 is illustrated, thefiller opening of which merges into a mouth socket 2. A filler tube 3extends through the mouth socket 2 and projects somewhat into the tank1.

In accordance with the invention a seal 4, having the particularconfiguration appearing from FIG. 2, is inserted between the mouthsocket 2 and the filler tube 3. A first portion 5 of the seal 4grippingly encloses the mouth edge 6 of the socket 2 while a secondportion 7 and a third portion 8 of the seal are pressed against thesocket 2 and the filler tube 3, respectively, in a manner similar tothat of 0-rings. By means of a fourth portion 9 the seal 4 together withthe filler tube 3 projects into the interior of the tank 1 and the innermarginal end portion 10 of the seal likewise presses against the fillertube 3 in the manner of an 0-ring. The seal 4 is also formed with a lipportion 11 which abuts the inner face of the mouth socket 2 in the areaof the junction of said socket with the tank 1. Together with the sealportion 9 the lip 11 forms a pocket 12.

In the area of the gripping portion 5 the seal 4 is configured so as todefine a space 13 towards the filler tube 3. In accordance with theinvention, a washer 14 is forced onto the filler tube 3 so as to pressagainst the latter and an outer, bent-over portion 15 of the washer 14bridges said space 13 and grippingly engages the portion 5 of the seal4. A clamp-joint sleeve 16 is provided around the mouth socket 2 so asto enclose portion 5 of the seal 4 and the washer 14. In its function asan interconnecting member the clamp-joint sleeve 16 serves as securitydevice in the event of collisions.

Owing to the design of the seal 4 as described above and the position ofthe seal in the mouth of the tank 1 the tank 1 is well sealed while atthe same time some movement of the filler tube 3 is allowed in anarbitrary direction in relation to the mouth socket 2 without any risksof leakage. When the filler tube 3 swings arbitrarily to the left or tothe right as seen in the drawing figure the space 13 will be reduced orincreased accordingly on one side or the other as the case may be whileat the same time the washer 14 will enclose portion 5 of the seal 4 to alarger or smaller extent. The marginal end portion 10 of the seal 4 willat all times adhere to the inner end portion of the filler tube 3 andsealingly abut against the latter.

Owing to the particular design of the seal 4 the filler tube may bemanufactured from a rigid material, such as aluminium, which is bettersuited than a rubber hose to withstand the effects of exposure to thesevere conditions prevailing in a vehicle. In accordance with theinvention, the inner end portion of the filler tube 3 is also providedwith a reinforcement sleeve 17 made from a harder material than thefiller tube 3. The sleeve 17 permits a certain maximum movement of thefiller tube 3 without the latter being distorted, which otherwise couldhave caused leakages.

In case the tank 1 is distorted, for instance in the event of acollision, resulting in generation of a positive pressure is createdinside the tank, said positive pressure will force the lip 11 of theseal to be pressed against the inner faces of the socket 2 or the tank 1while at the same time the portion 9 and the edge portion 10 of the sealwill be pressed against the filler tube 3. Positive pressure inside thepocket 12 thus will provide an improved sealing function.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment as illustrated anddescribed but could be varied in many ways within the scope of theappended claims. It goes without saying that the seal 4 could be used invarious kinds of tanks in other connections than in fuel tanks forvehicles.

I claim:
 1. A sealing arrangement comprising a liquid tank having anouter body defining a cavity for containing a fluid and a mouth sockethaving a tubular portion defining an opening into said cavity, a fillertube extending through said mouth socket tubular portion with asubstantial clearance therebetween, and a seal engaging and sealinglysaid tubular portion and said filler tube and accommodating substantialpivotal movement of said filler tube relative to said tubular portionwhile maintaining the seal therebetween, said seal having a firstportion resiliently engaged with the outer end of said tubular portionfor effecting a seal therewith and for retaining said seal to saidliquid tank, a second portion spaced along the axis of said filler tubeand sealingly engaged with said filler tube for retaining said fillertube relative to said seal, the area of said seal between said secondportion and said first portion defining a clearance between said sealand said filler tube for accommodating pivotal movement of said fillertube about said second portion relative to said first seal portion, anda third portion spaced from said second portion and sealingly engagedwith one of said filler tube and said mouth socket adjacent said cavity.2. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tubularportion has an outer end and is provided with a flange at the outer endwith which the first portion of the seal is resiliently engaged.
 3. Asealing arrangement as claimed in claim 2 further including a clampingring engaged with said first portion of said seal and with the mouthsocket for retaining said seal relative to the fuel tank.
 4. A sealingarrangement as claimed in claim 3 further including a washer having afirst portion sealingly engaged with said filler tube in an areaapproximate to said clearance between said seal and said filler tube anda second portion sealingly engaged with said seal first portion andadapted to maintain its sealing relationship with said seal firstportion upon pivotal movement of said filler tube.
 5. A sealingarrangement as claimed in claim 4 wherein the third seal portion has atleast a part sealingly engaged with said filler tube within said cavityand flexibly connected to said second seal portion for accommodatingpivotal movement of said mouth socket.
 6. A sealing arrangement asclaimed in claim 5 wherein the third seal portion further has a flangepart sealingly engaged with the inner periphery of the mouth socket withsaid first and said second portions defining an area adapted to receiveliquid under pressure on deformation of the liquid tank to maintain thesealing engagement between said portions and the filler tube and mouthsocket, respectively.
 7. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 1wherein the third seal portion has at least a part sealingly engagedwith said filler tube within said cavity and flexibly connected to saidsecond seal portion for accommodating pivotal movement of said mouthsocket.
 8. A sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 7 wherein the thirdseal portion further has a flange part sealingly engaged with the innerperiphery of the mouth socket with said first and said second portionsdefining an area adapted to receive liquid under pressure on deformationof the liquid tank to maintain the sealing engagement between saidportions and the filler tube and mouth socket, respectively.
 9. Asealing arrangement as claimed in claim 1 further including a clampingring engaged with said first portion of said seal and with the mouthsocket for retaining said seal relative to the fuel tank.
 10. A sealingarrangement as claimed in claim 9 further including a washer having afirst portion sealingly engaged with said filler tube in an areaapproximate to said clearance between said seal and said filler tube anda second portion sealingly engaged with said seal first portion andadapted to maintain its sealing relationship with said seal firstportion upon pivotal movement of said filler tube.